Category: Uncategorized

Middle Grade Ninja: 7 Questions For: Literary Agent Marcy Posner

Marcy Posner is a literary agent with Folio Literary. She is seeking: “I straddle the line between adult and children’s books (middle grade and young adult only). In the adult world, I’m looking for: commercial women’s fiction, historical fiction, mystery, biography, history, health, and lifestyle – and, especially, thoughtfully written commercial novels, thrillers with international […]

Middle Grade Ninja: 7 Questions For: Literary Agent Reiko Davis

Before joining DeFiore in early 2016, Reiko Davis was an associate agent at Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency for four years. She grew up in Kansas City, received her BA in Comparative Literature and Art History from Brown University, and is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course. Reiko’s interests are varied, but she is particularly […]

Middle Grade Ninja: 7 Questions For: Literary Agent Victoria Selvaggio

With a strong background in business ownership, Victoria A. Selvaggio comes to The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency as an Associate Agent with over 6 years of actively working as a volunteer and Regional Advisor for SCBWI Northern Ohio.  Drawn to the publishing scene first as an author writing all genres, with her most recent […]

Middle Grade Ninja: 7 Questions For: Author Will Allison

Will Allison, in his words, has worked as executive editor of story, editor-at large of Zoetrope: All-story, editor of Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market, and as a freelance editor and writer, ghostwriter, busboy, room service waiter, clerical temp, landscaper, housemaid, process server, antique store salesperson, and baseball card dealer. He has taught many students […]

Middle Grade Ninja: An Afterword for BANNEKER BONES AND THE GIANT ROBOT BEES Part One: Let’s Talk About Race (and get it over with)

The following is a three-part afterword for Banneker Bones and the Giant Robot Bees. You don’t have to have read the book to read this first post (I’m saving heavy spoilers for parts 2 and 3). I’m mostly going to talk about the book, but I’m also going to talk about race. Banneker Bones and […]

Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: AL CAPONE THROWS ME A CURVE by Gennifer Choldenko

First Paragraph(s): Even when you live on a prison island with crafty criminals plotting ways to knock you off, summer is the best time of the year. No tests. No homework. No getting up early to catch the ferry. No teachers who think you flunked a few grades because you happen to be kind of big […]

Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi

WARNING: This week’s book is actually edgy YA and it is filled with adult content. It is absolutely not appropriate for younger readers and adults should view it as the equivalent of an ‘R’ rated movie.  First Paragraph(s): Pick me. It’s all I can do not to scream. I dig my nails into the marula oak […]

Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: EUGENIA LINCOLN AND THE UNEXPECTED PACKAGE by Kate DiCamillo

First Paragraph: Eugenia Lincoln was a practical person, a sensible person. She did not have time for poetry, geegaws, whoop-de-whoops, or frivolity. I’m posting this on a Monday, Esteemed Reader, because I know that if you’re a fan of middle grade fiction, you’re a fan of Kate DiCamillo, and you’ve probably read all her books. […]